JOHN THORNE JR.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The funeral for John Martin Thorne Jr., 79, was held by the graveside on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Pineview Cemetery with the Rev. Stan Brown officiating.

Mr. Thorne died Sunday.

A retired farmer, he was a native of Nash County and was the son of the late Mary and John Martin Thorne Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bethel; two daughters, Patsy May and husband, Bill, of Pikeville and Gale Joyner and husband, Stewart, of Rocky Mount; two sons, Jimmy Thorne and wife, Debbie, of Rocky Mount and Dennis Thorne and wife, Cindy, of Battleboro; eight grandchildren, Christy Cox, Laura May, Melissa Thorne, Jennifer Thorne, Wesley Joyner, Luke Joyner, John Travis Thorne and Dustin Thorne; and one sister, Peggy Parker of Rocky Mount.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Vester.

The family received friends on Monday night at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home in Rocky Mount.